Another Case of PDS

Years from now, scientists — political scientists, maybe medical researchers or clinical psychologists specializing in abnormal behavior — will figure what it is about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin that generates so much controversy.

Daughter Bristol is on “Dancing With the Stars”, which somehow landed on PETA’s radar screen.

Here in California, her appearance at a university fundraiser turned into a freak show of dumpster-diving, alleged secret contracts, campus protests — and, finally, a state investigation that went nowhere fast.

One creepy journalist even saw fit to move in next door to the Palins in Wasilla as he researched a book on the family matriarch (apparently Alaska wasn’t to his liking; after three months of living outside the Lower 48, he’s since departed).

I call it Palin Derangement Syndrome — a virus that scrambles the brain, impairs judgment, and prompts the urge to score points off the lady in the designer frames.

And the latest suffer of this disease: quite possibly, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

On his way to his trade mission in China, Arnold had this to offer on his Twitter page:

“Over Anchorage, AK. Looking everywhere but can’t see Russia from here. Will keep you updated as search continues”.

(It was a play on Palin’s famous observation that “I can see Russia from my house” (something she never actually said — what she told ABC’s Charlie Gibson was: “”They’re our next door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.”))

“Arnold should have landed; I could have explained our multi-billion dollar state surplus & US energy security efforts. What’s he been up to?”

Ouch.

Arnold: looking for Russia, finding Palin

So here’s my question: was Arnold merely being playful (and the man does have a great sense of humor), or is he guilty (as are many Republicans) of an elitist attitude toward the former vice presidential — the feeling that Palin, with her dropped g’s and non-sophisticated “Mama Grizzly” style, is somehow too declasse to be a Republican standard-bearer?

I’m not the most ardent of Palin admirers. Given the choice of dinner with her or Arnold, I’d take Arnold in a heartbeat.

However, the former Alaska governor has two advantages over the current California governor:

1) She has a genuine national following;

2) She can run for president.

And maybe that’s how she gets even with all the hate, hysteria and histrionics.

Not with re-Tweets, but instead with a presidential run which, even if it falls short, brings with it the self-satisfaction of knowing it drives her critics nuts.